Josh MacAlister OBE, Chair of the Independent Review, addressed the group, reflecting on the progress made since the review’s publication and the work still to be done to improve outcomes for care-experienced children and young people.
Also in attendance were Helen Hayes MP, Chair of the Education Committee, alongside other Members of Parliament and Peers committed to championing children’s social care reform.
Young people with lived experience of care, including representatives from Coram Voice, A National Voice (ANV) and other campaigning and advocacy groups, were invited to share the campaigns and projects they have led over the past three years.
Rose and Liana, Ambassadors from A National Voice, presented their work on the Grand Campaign, which focuses on increasing the Setting Up Home Allowance (SUHA) to better support young people transitioning out of care.
“The Setting Up Home Allowance isn’t just about money,” said Liana. “It’s about giving care leavers the best start to independent living — having the basics like a bed, flooring, a fridge. Things many people take for granted.”
ANV, the national children in care council for England, brings together care-experienced young people from across the country to work on issues that matter most to them. In 2024, ANV launched The Grand Campaign in response to widespread reports that not all local authorities were offering the updated SUHA amount of £3,000 — despite government guidance recommending the increase from 1 April 2023.
To gather evidence, ANV:
- Sent Freedom of Information requests to every local authority in England.
- Created resources to help young people meet with local leaders and advocate for change.
- Collected testimonies from care leavers about their experiences.
- Published a report highlighting inconsistencies and recommending urgent reforms.
“We spoke to care leavers who were told they only had £1,500 — some didn’t even know they could ask for more,” said Rose. “That’s why this campaign matters — every care leaver deserves fairness, clear guidance, and enough support to live safely and independently.”
The campaign has already seen success. The Department for Education (DfE) has updated guidance to confirm the £3,000 amount and clarified what the allowance can be used for. But ANV is calling for more:
ANV is asking for:
- All local authorities to offer at least £3,000 SUHA — no exceptions.
- Clear, accessible documents so care leavers know their rights.
- Greater freedom for care leavers to decide how to use the funds.
- Annual reviews to ensure the allowance keeps up with rising costs.
- Recognition of hidden costs like flooring, which can take a large portion of the grant.
- Trained Personal Advisors to support — not control — young people’s choices.
“We want the Children’s Minister to write to every local authority to make sure the new guidance is implemented,” said one young person. “We also want long-term housing support and for businesses and charities to be part of the solution.”
The Grand Campaign underscores the need for ongoing accountability and young people’s involvement in shaping policies that affect their futures. The APPG event was a timely reminder of the promise made during the Care Review — that no child or young person should be left behind by the care system.